BenQ XL2720Z, a New 3D Vision-ready and 144Hz 2D Gaming Monitor

Earlier this month BenQ has announced their new monitor XL2720Z, the first 27-inch gaming monitor that BenQ releases with support for 144Hz refresh rate as their previous model XL2720T was up to 120Hz. BenQ XL2720Z is also 3D Vision ready, though when using it in stereoscopic 3D mode you are being limited to 120Hz (60Hz per eye) like with other 144Hz 3D-capable models. And while the 3D Vision compatibility also comes with 3D LightBoost technology support that can help improving the brightness level in stereo 3D mode and also help reduce motion blur in 2D mode, BenQ has also introduced a new Motion Blur Reduction technology of their own that essentially does what 3D Lightboost does – strobing backlight, but BenQ’s solution does not require “software hacks” to work like you may need to do to enable Nvidia’s 3D Lightboost for motion blur reduction. It will be interesting to see how will BenQ’s blur reduction solution will compare to Nvidia’s 3D Lightboost approach that was originally designed for stereo 3D use. Other interesting things about the BenQ XL2720Z is a new Low Blue Light mode that allows gamers to adjust the blue light levels of the monitor that is considered to be the cause of eyestrain for example when using computers for long periods of time. Another new feature introduced a this monitor is the Gaming-comfort Flicker-free technology that is supposed to eliminate noticeable flickering of the backlight when you lower the brightness level of the monitor (no PWM dimming of the backlight).

If you want to be able to use the BenQ XL2720Z for stereoscopic 3D gaming you would need to get a pair of 3D Vision glasses with IR emitter kit, as they are not bundled, and BenQ’s target is probably not stereo 3D gamers, but 2D gamers interested in the higher refresh rate. Unfortunately this monitor does not feature the recently announced G-Sync technology from Nvidia, so if you are looking for a new gaming monitor you might want to wait a bit more for the first G-Sync enabled monitors to come out (probably early next year). BenQ is one of the partners of Nvidia for the G-Sync technology along with Asus, Philips and ViewSonic. By the end of the year Nvidia is supposed to start offering the Nvidia G-SYNC Do-it-yourself upgrade kits for owners of the ASUS VG248QE monitors. So now may not be the best time to go for the BenQ XL2720Z, unless you don’t care about the elimination of screen tearing, input lag, and stutter that Nvidia’s G-Sync technology promises. If your interest is mostly in the new BenQ Motion Blur Reduction technology, then you might also want to check out the EIZO Foris FG2421 gaming monitor that also features similar strobing backlight technology helping eliminate motion blur, but Eizo also has a VA-type LCD and not a TN panel like on this BenQ display.